OURS. 45 



less, pretty, and playful. Many are said to die 

 during dentition, more especially females ; and 

 this circumstance probably accounts for the dis- 

 parity observable between the sexes ; male lions, it 

 is calculated, being one third more numerous than 

 females. 



" During the first days succeeding the birth of 

 the cubs," says Gerard, who gives us very valuable 

 information respecting the habits of lions during the 

 breeding season, "the mother never quits them for 

 a moment, leaving the father to provide for their 

 wants. It is not until they have attained the age 

 of three months, and the crisis of dentition is 

 passed, that she weans them, absenting herself from 

 the lair during several hours each day, and supply- 

 ing them with the flesh of sheep carefully divided 

 into small pieces. 



" The lion, whose character, when arrived nt 

 mature age, is very grave, is not fond of remaining 

 witli his ' children,' who tire Ijim \vitli their 

 gambols ; and in order, therefore, to enjoy his rest 

 undisturbed, as also to be in readiness to come to 

 the aid of his family should it be required, lie makes 

 for himself a lair in the vicinity. 



"At the age of four to five months, the rubs 

 follow the mother to the skirts of the wood where 

 the lion brings them food. 



" At six months, and during a dark night, the 

 whole family change their abode; and from this 

 time up to the period when the cubs separate from 

 their parents they are constantly on the move. 



" At eight months, to a year, after their birth, 



